George Bush Senior’s condition improves

FORMER US President George H W Bush, who has been in hospital for more than a month, “continues to improve” but remained in intensive care at a Texas hospital.

Family spokesman Jim McGrath said the 88-year-old was “alert and, as always, in good spirits”. He said Mr Bush’s conversations with doctors now included singing.

Physicians remain “cautiously optimistic that the current course of treatment will be effective,” Mr McGrath added.

Bush, the oldest living former US president, has been in hospital since November 23. He was moved into intensive care on Sunday for treatment of a fever following a bronchitis-related cough.

Aide Jean Becker said on Thursday that “most of the civilised world” contacted her on Wednesday after disclosures that Mr Bush had been placed in intensive care after physicians were having difficulty bringing a fever under control.